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Reflections from the mat

Writing, interviews and free practices from our teachers — on philosophy, anatomy, breath, the menstrual cycle, menopause, teaching life and the long arc of practice.

More from the journal

Showing 1–9 of 64 articles
Derek Ireland & Gingi Lee
Shala Story

1995 baga beach is the place

Gingi’s main yoga teacher training with Derek Ireland takes place in a beach hut on Baga Beach, Goa. Three intense practices a day: Gingi…

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Gingi Lee Crete
Shala Story

1995 early blistering practices

“There is nothing quite like the practices in the old days with Derek. Intense. Exhilarating. Full of humour and it always feels like you…

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Sangam Yoga Centre Battersea
Centre

1997 sangam yoga centre opens

In 1997 Gingi Lee sets up his first yoga centre in a warehouse in Battersea, South London. Named the Sangam, the centre is one…

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Gingi Lee Healing Arts Festival
Shala Story

1997 yoga ambassador

It is the Healing Arts Festival in the mid 1990s that really boosts the awareness of ashtanga yoga in the UK. For a few…

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Pattabhi Jois
Shala Story

1999 pattabhi jois and the new millenium

In 2000 Gingi returns to Mysore in the new millennium to practice with Pattabhi Jois. The old shala can only hold 12 people and…

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Ashtanga Yogis in Mysore
Shala Story

2000 the london crew

During the four months Gingi is in Mysore studying with Pattabhi Jois, he lives with a group of London yogis at the famous Post…

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Cevennes Yoga Retreat
Retreats

2005 sitting buddhas

There is a lot of yoga…. along with hours of laughter, a few bottles of wine, table-top dancing, late night swimming and much cheese.…

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Martial Arts Retreat
Retreats

2005 crouching tigers

One of the most memorable Shala retreats is this early one in 2005 when Gingi Lee’s English yogis join forces with his father’s martial…

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Chateau des Pauses Retreat
Retreats

2005 chateau shala

A haven in the foothills of the Massif Central. Times of river bathing, gourmet vegetarian food, steamy practices and lazing in the Cevennolle sunrays. Each…

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Rolf & Marci Ashtanga Yoga
Retreats

2005 rolf & marci’s thai shala

Gingi & Ella visit Rolf Naujokat and Marci at their Thai Shala on Koh Phangan, after a few months on the South East Asia…

Dec 2021 Read more →

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